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Resident: Deputies search wrong home

Man says officers stormed his house, handcuffed him and forced him to the floor

Courtney Astolfi

Norwalk

Mar 31, 2014

A Benedict Avenue resident contends Huron County deputies forced their way into his home Tuesday without a search warrant.

John Collins, who lives in one unit of a triplex home at 114 Benedict Ave., contends deputies got the wrong address when they executed the search warrant. The warrant was for the unit next to his, he said.

The deputies handcuffed him and left him lying on the floor in his unit for 20 minutes after they realized the mistake, Collins said.

Collins, 26, said he was watching TV when he heard someone yell, “Huron County Sheriff” outside his door.

“As soon as I stood up, they bum-rushed the door and threw me on the ground at gunpoint,” Collins said.

One deputy also stepped on his tablet, shattering its screen. Another broke a ceramic decoration that once belonged to his now-deceased son, Collins said.

Collins said he repeatedly told the deputies they had the wrong house.

“But they kept saying, ‘This is a drug house,’ and ‘You shouldn’t be in a drug house then’” Collins said.

Two deputies must have realized the mistake, Collins said, because they recognized him from their school days and had to have known he was not the man identified in the search warrant. The deputies went next door, he said. They made contact with the residents there — who were later arrested for drug trafficking.

But six or so other deputies continued searching Collins’ home.

“It was inhumane. I’m to the point where I’m scared and don’t want to be there by myself” Collins said.

After they’d been in his home for awhile, one deputy returned and told him he was under arrest and began reading him his rights, Collins said.

But just a short while later, they uncuffed him and apologized.

“Then they just left like it was nothing” Collins said.

Huron County Common Pleas Court Judge Timothy Cardwell issued a secret gag order March 21 to seal the search warrant. The gag order is also secret, Cardwell’s court clerk said after the Register asked for a copy of the order.

And the criminal complaint that was filed with the Huron County Sheriff’s Office also is secret.

The Register learned the search warrant was gagged after Huron County Sheriff’s Capt. Ted Patrick failed to deliver on assurances he made Thursday, when he said he would follow up on the Register’s requests for the initial complaints that led to the search warrant.

Incident reports and search warrants are generally public record that cannot be withheld from release.

“You send me a records request via email and I’ll be happy to get what you need,” Patrick said Thursday.

Patrick did not respond to the email the Register then sent and, when a reporter went to the sheriff’s office Friday, the incident reports weren’t available.

Patrick, who for the past three years has routinely failed to follow the public records requirements of the Ohio Revised Code, was also unavailable.

Earlier this month, Sheriff Dane Howard agreed to have his command staff begin complying with state law. When the Register emailed requests for incident reports on four other occasions in the past few weeks, the Huron County Sheriff’s Office provided those reports the following day — the first ever such consistent occurrences in the past three years.

It’s unclear why Judge Cardwell issued the gag order on this search warrant, or why he extended that gag order to include the gag order itself.

It’s also unclear why Patrick cannot provide the incident reports. On Thursday, Patrick said what Collins contends is not accurate.

The search warrant deputies executed at his home was for the correct address, he said; the arrests next door simply occurred as a coincidence.

“We finished a search warrant at 114 1/2 Benedict Ave. Our next move then was to check on an individual who may have a warrant in close proximity,” Patrick said. “When we executed the warrant we became aware of warrants for an individual in close proximity, which was next door”

Collins was not arrested after the search warrant was executed inside his home. The residents of the neighboring unit were.

Thomas Papp, 34, and his mother, Patricia Papp, were both arrested on drug trafficking warrants, according to Huron County jail guards.

Comments

SamAdams

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 12:35pm

Okay, all of you who think you have nothing to hide and so have no problem with dramatically increased powers for police: THIS COULD HAPPEN TO YOU!

The police misread the warrant, or there was a typo on the warrant. It doesn't matter. Before they KNEW they were in the right place, they'd already torn through the dwelling and broken things, including some which were sentimental and irreplaceable. And then, even when they knew they were in the WRONG place, it took an entirely unreasonable amount of time to uncuff the innocent man.

Did the police clean up the mess they made afterward? I'm willing to bet they did not. Did the police apologize and offer to help in any way after releasing the wrongfully restrained man? Again, I'll bet they didn't. Did the police offer financial compensation for the ruined belongings? The odds are once more against it.

I have no issue with lawfully issued search warrants. I have no issue with at least a temporary restraint of persons named in the warrant. I don't even have a problem with the occasional mistake since those are going to happen now and again. The problem isn't with police, but with police who behave like storm troopers. The problem isn't with safety precautions, but with unreasonably rough handling. The problem isn't with lawful police searches, but with wanton destruction DURING such searches. The problem isn't with accidental breakage, but with the refusal by police to apologize and accept liability.

The police have a tough job and they usually do it really well. But this kind of story has become more frequent in recent years, and with police departments all over the country requesting (and frequently GETTING) military-caliber equipment and weaponry, the wholesale abuse of power is only going to get worse. If I were a betting woman, there's one more bet I'd make: The order is sealed and law enforcement uncooperative because they're well aware of everything I've just said, but they DON'T CARE.

Peninsula Pundit

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 2:08pm

Here is an issue where, regardless of political stripe, we will stand as one and say, 'that is a effin' 'nough!'
On top of this, look at today's Blade where MILITARY POLICE apprehended, cuffed, detained and seized the cameras of Toledo Blade staff for taking pictures of the Lima Tank Factory from the road.
It really isn't an issue of 'shades of gray' anymore.
The only way this is going to stop is for us to stop being 'consumers' of Freedom and start working in the defense of it.

G_Johnson

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 5:29pm

Your 4th paragraph is spot on. I'm not going to say anything about the incident here because, as usual, not all the facts are out in this biased article and I'm sure some of this probably isn't accurate. However, I agree that actions like this in general are a serious issue, and agree with that paragraph

From the Grave

Sun, 03/30/2014 - 12:00am

Really SamAdams?

Nemesis

Sun, 03/30/2014 - 2:45pm

" I don't even have a problem with the occasional mistake since those are going to happen now and again."

The problem is, when you militarize law enforcement and equip cops in a manner more appropriate to Fallujah than to Ohio, these mistakes are all to often FATAL for innocent people.

"The problem isn't with police, but with police who behave like storm troopers."

Clothes make the man - when you dress them like storm troopers, arm them like storm troopers, and train them like storm troopers, how do you EXPECT them to behave?

I don't fault the Guardsmen who fired at Kent State in 1970. They were soldiers, trained and equipped for combat, placed in a role for which they were ill-suited. Civilian law enforcement is not war - if it is, then you might as well throw in the towel on the whole nation itself.

In a free society, law enforcement relies for its authority and safety on broad public consensus that the laws being enforced are reasonable. In a despotic regime, law enforcement relies on overwhelming force. So, which one is the USA today?

SamAdams

Mon, 03/31/2014 - 7:14pm

Yep. Which is why I made note of the fact that many municipal police departments are requesting -- and RECEIVING! -- military-type gear and weaponry. It's a tragedy waiting to happen. Oh, but oops: It already has, and more than once.

Again, I understand that the police aren't universally bad men who wield their power inappropriately. But it doesn't take many who feed an ego inclined that direction with body armor, automatic weapons, armored vehicles, and attitude to generate some pretty nasty results!

Maybe SWAT teams should be more regionalized. Special military-style training isn't necessarily out of place for police who raid large and well organized (and usually very well armed) drug rings and the like! But given that that doesn't happen on a daily basis ANYwhere, and given that those raids require a little advance planning, couldn't police agencies request the assistance of such a team when needed? And let the "regular" police behave a lot more like regular police than soldiers charging whatever "enemy" they're pointed at?

You make a very valid point that some might miss or who won't consider as truly important as it is: Civilian law enforcement isn't war (or at least it's very RARELY so). Training cops to be "soldiers" or "special forces" is a bad idea whether they end up being truly qualified as such or not. Unless we intend to ship out the boys in blue along with the rest who've ALSO been trained to storm and kill efficiently, a whole lot of people might want to rethink that plan...

Peninsula Pundit

Tue, 04/01/2014 - 10:26am

Regionalizing SWAT has already been accomplished.
The local regional office is on Rt. 53 on the way to Put-in-Bay.
The Department of Homeland Security Gulag.

AnAmerican

Mon, 03/31/2014 - 2:13pm

Great post Sam. FYI though....the Sheriff's office was warned by officials that the person they were going to bust had not lived there for two years. Repeatedly warned. They CHOSE to ignore the warning. Once again the Huron County taxpayers will suffer.

JohnDorian12

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 12:42pm

Sniff sniff, I smell a lawsuit!!! I was doubting thus guys story until everyone including judges and sheriffs began hiding things.....go for broke dude

Peninsula Pundit

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 2:10pm

It'd be pretty bad when you realize one of the pigs with their jackboot on your neck and a gun to your head was a high school classmate.
How 'early Nazi Germany.'

topcop1991

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 12:44pm

Time to get an Attorney and make an example out of the efforts of shoddy Police work!

JMOP

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 12:56pm

I hate to say sue, because the money will come from taxpayers, but the guy has every right to do so.

Everyone who has lied and covered their butts in this case needs prison time. Corruption should not be tolerated.

Peninsula Pundit

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 2:12pm

We, as the taxpayers, should demand accountability for this disgrace.
Heads should roll!
Watch the elected officials and let's see if they do the public's business.
Hopefully in public without gag orders!

Babo

Sun, 03/30/2014 - 9:46am

Once the officers were told they had the wrong residence and still proceeded to search, they subjected themselves to personal liability in a lawsuit. Yes the county will be sued but the individual officers should be sued in their personal capacities as well.

SamAdams

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 12:56pm

If it were me, I'd file a lawsuit, too. But I'd also point out that chances are awfully good I'd lose. Unfortunately, in many cases, the cops get a "pass" if whatever it was they did occurred directly in the line of duty.

Do I agree? Sometimes, I think they SHOULD get a pass! But that's when whatever happened was a true accident. The execution of the warrant here might indeed be accidental, but the destruction and the terrorizing of an innocent victim was deliberate as all get-out. The police MAY not be liable, but they SHOULD be!

Babo

Sun, 03/30/2014 - 9:49am

Police officers have "qualified immunity" only if the violations of constitutional rights were not so egregious that a reasonable officer would not question the warrant. Once the officers were told they had the wrong house and continued to act like storm troopers they crossed the line IMO and they and the county should be found liable

mikeylikesit

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 1:00pm

for every bad cop, there are ten bad cops who are worse waiting to take their place.. im not condoning violence, but if somebody decides to take care of these oinkers themselves, i would look the other way.

WinstonSmith

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 1:20pm

...To secure these rights governments are instituted among men, deriving their JUST powers from the CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED.

No violence necessary... Revoke consent, stop paying taxes even if it means quitting your job, find ways to feed yourself without the need for a social security number and just LIVE FREE; and free humans need not ask for permission to be free.

If the pigs stop getting paid for victimizing people maybe they just might stop victimizing people.

ladydye_5

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 4:30pm

So you are ok with killing cops?

WinstonSmith

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 7:45pm

Moderators have removed this comment because it contained Personal attacks (including: name calling, presumption of guilt or guilt by association, insensitivity, or picking fights).

No, I do not condone the initiation of violence, ever... I even stated, very clearly, in the above comment that 'violence was not necessary' in abolishing police.
I'm curious to know what in any of my anarchist rantings led you to believe that I condone violence against anyone. Or is this just your pre-programmed ad hominem again?
I don't want to see police physically hurt, I just want to see them unemployed and/or in prison.

Was it the piggy comment that got the censor's panties in a bunch?

Pterocarya frax...

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 8:32pm

Is your comprehension so poor that you do not realize how these threads are structured, and that ladydye's comment was directed at Mikey?

Well that might explain a lot of the problems you seem to have with our society.

ladydye_5

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 11:35pm

Thank you. Winston.....my comment was NOT for you.

Nemesis

Sun, 03/30/2014 - 6:37pm

Ladydye, it's noteworthy that, in the context we're discussing, the state legislature of Indiana is apparently OK with it. They recently passed legislation that essentially makes it legal to defend one's home with deadly force even against police IF the police are not acting within the law.

ladydye_5

Sun, 03/30/2014 - 8:01pm

Well WinstonSmith and mikeylikesit can happily move to Indiana then.

mikeylikesit

Mon, 03/31/2014 - 10:42am

no, i would rather nobody be killed. also, im not moving.

Truth2u

Mon, 03/31/2014 - 12:30pm

No, how about you and others start to make the cops accountable to OBEY the Bill of rights and their oaths? Sounds strange that someone would tell victims who were kidnapped under gun point, restrained, had their belongings ruined to move if they dont like something. I'd hate to be your neighbor if I needed help.

Peninsula Pundit

Tue, 04/01/2014 - 10:28am

A very cogent point.

Truth2u

Mon, 03/31/2014 - 12:28pm

If they bust into MY house you better believe it, and I have three in our family who are cops and they know where I stand and two of them agree with me.

Why is everyone afraid to say the obvious, we are a few heart beats from total destruction of our Bill of Rights and soon to become a complete Police STATE. NSA listening to EVERY SINGLE phone call, recording EVERY communication of EVERY citizen but they can't find the illegals living here? We the PEOPLE are becoming the only enemies of this spiraling out of control Government.

Those who don't believe me just look at the attitude this one event had against the Register doing its CONSTITUTIONAL right to obtain information, they put a GAG order on a simple warrant, you will NEVER convince me that this area's law enforcement and judicial system isn't give the Register the finger, and that extends to us.

You know what, I hope that they bust down your door someday ladydye and your husband has a heart attack as that elderly gentlemen in Sandusky a few years back, no better teacher than experience. I wonder if you will still continue to think the cops should be treated with kids gloves when they break their oat and literately trample on your rights. Hitlers SS was the LEGAL arm of the country, just because something legal doesn't make it right or justified. These cops are nothing more than terrorists, kidnappers and self appointed Buck Rogers. Its disgusting that anyone would support this travesty of injustice from government and I salute the Register for fighting for our rights.

Peninsula Pundit

Tue, 04/01/2014 - 10:30am

I do not wish Dye, or anyone, any harm, but if that did happen, I'd bet that would put a new tune in her horn.

WinstonSmith

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 1:13pm

The war on drugs is a war on YOU.
Police are the biggest street gang in the USSA.

holysee

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 3:44pm

+1

Peninsula Pundit

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 2:23pm

Even more scary, is that if 'HOMELAND SECURITY' were to get ahold of you, you would disappear and NO ONE is obligated to tell what happened to you.
Just off Rt.2 on Rt. 53 heading to Catawba Island, the OSHP has an office in the DHS Gulag and if they take you there, even they are under no obligation to divulge anything about what is going on inside those walls, despite State laws to the contrary.
Again, regardless of political leanings, here is something where we can all stand together as one and say NO.

WinstonSmith

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 6:28pm

I'm with you... Check out Peaceful Streets Project Sandusky if you want to get involved with turning back this fascist tide.

Save a life, film a cop

Babo

Sun, 03/30/2014 - 9:54am

People have disappeared in the state system as well. This is not a recent phenomena as there are political incarcerations locally dating to 2002.

Really are you ...

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 2:30pm

Just wait.

WATCHED_1s

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 3:24pm

Moderators have removed this comment because it contained Personal attacks (including: name calling, presumption of guilt or guilt by association, insensitivity, or picking fights).

holysee

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 3:48pm

Tell us more cop. The war on drugs does not achieve anything except wasted taxpayer bucks! Why has the heroin production in afghanistan increased 40x since our military entered the country?

KnuckleDragger

Mon, 03/31/2014 - 11:33am

Gotta agree with you on this one holysee

holysee

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 3:50pm

AND piggy piggy, why did they not find even at least some paraphernalia, needles etc?

KnuckleDragger

Tue, 04/01/2014 - 8:40am

Read todays article in the Reflector, they did find paraphernalia and he is about to be charged.

Peninsula Pundit

Tue, 04/01/2014 - 10:32am

It is easier to buy some syringes at CVS and throw them down than either a knife or gun.
Just Sayin'

WinstonSmith

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 6:26pm

The days of the Thug-Blue-Line protecting costumed criminals from accountability are over. Donut-grazers beware, we the people are fed-up and are not going to stand idly by anymore while you victimize peaceful people and act like that ounce of tin pinned to your chest gives you rights that regular citizens don't.

mikeylikesit

Mon, 03/31/2014 - 10:45am

donut-grazers.. ha! i know you are serious but i had to laugh!

WATCHED_1s

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 3:57pm

Moderators have removed this comment because it contained Personal attacks (including: name calling, presumption of guilt or guilt by association, insensitivity, or picking fights).

Ralph J.

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 4:54pm

Wrong house? Police will never admit to being wrong and will try to blame the occupants.

I don't believe everything I read. The Register will do anything to sell a paper. The police in Huron County have always done a fine job and I'm sure they did here to. Keep it up gang!!!

G_Johnson

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 5:31pm

"I don't believe everything I read. The Register will do anything to sell a paper."

+1000000000

Nemesis

Sun, 03/30/2014 - 6:38pm

And yet this is just another case in a pattern developing across the country.

WinstonSmith

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 6:19pm

'The police in Huron County have always done a fine job and I'm sure they did here to. Keep it up gang!'

You got one part right, they are a gang... A gang of thugs.

WinstonSmith

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 6:20pm

You are eight times more likely to be killed by a cop than a terrorist... This guy is real lucky they didn't kill his dog then shoot him for being a mouthy slave.

KURTje

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 6:41pm

Patrick is what gives good L.E. a bad name. So Ricky Vitte like.

WinstonSmith

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 7:49pm

But it's OK that their co-workers turn a blind eye? Sounds like a Joe Paterno/Jerry Sandusky type relationship.

I'm still waiting for a virtuous cop to give peace-officers a good name by arresting one of his criminal 'brothers'.

somescrewyname

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 6:42pm

What exactly does this mean Mr Dane Howard.........."Earlier this month, Sheriff Dane Howard agreed to have his command staff begin complying with state law."......You were breaking the law? if one is not complying with, one is breaking the law. Mr Howard, now tell me why should we believe anything a law breaker says happen (and one according to their own admission seems to not have been complying to law for a long time)...... Here is what Patrick said about Mr Collins....."On Thursday, Patrick said what Collins contends is not accurate."....so what your saying is Mr Collins is a liar. But yet it is you and your staff not complying to the law. And you want us to believe you and your staff over Mr Collins who has not been breaking the law?

Game time

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 7:18pm

This article is completely different than what the hometown newspaper of the individual reported. It appears to me that this is the Register once again bashing our local law enforcement. Westerhold why don't you focus on getting your license back rather than bashing cops!!!

WinstonSmith

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 7:41pm

What's wrong piggy, is the thug-blue-line not protecting you anymore?

JMOP

Sat, 03/29/2014 - 8:02pm

The Norwalk reflector gave the story of the police side. This story is from Mr. Collins side. So yeah, there's gonna be conflicting stories.

AnAmerican

Mon, 03/31/2014 - 2:14pm

The Sheriff's office was warned by officials that the person they were going to bust had not lived there for two years. Repeatedly warned. They CHOSE to ignore the warning.

Peninsula Pundit

Tue, 04/01/2014 - 10:35am

Oh, that doesn't matter, according to a few on this board.
They committed a crime once, so they are forever suspect even after paying their 'debt to society.'
In fact, they claim, the po-po were well within their, ahem, 'rights.'

GottaloveNorwalk

Sun, 03/30/2014 - 6:12am

Check out Norwalk Municipal Court records on John Collins, the police and reason to know this guy. He is trouble!! “It was inhumane. I’m to the point where I’m scared and don’t want to be there by myself” Collins said. That is just hilarious knowing who he is.

AnAmerican

Mon, 03/31/2014 - 2:15pm

You are deflecting from the issue. The man was not who they were looking for nor named on the warrant. They were advised they were going to the wrong home and they ignored the warning.

ignoranceisbliss13

Sun, 03/30/2014 - 8:32am

@gottalovenorwalk Because this guy has a record it makes it ok for the sheriff's office to do what they did and lie about it? Not in my book! I'm sure that if this happened to you that you would also feel that the behavior shown was not acceptable. Also betting your record isn't spotless!

GottaloveNorwalk

Sun, 03/30/2014 - 10:53am

Moderators have removed this comment because it contained Personal attacks (including: name calling, presumption of guilt or guilt by association, insensitivity, or picking fights).

somescrewyname

Sun, 03/30/2014 - 11:30am

@gotalovenorwalk, what this has to do with is not Mr Collins criminal record , but about the law enforcement officers failing to comply to the law of the land and the disregarding of the Fourth Amendment on Search and Seizure...and as you appear not to know what it is, I will will tell you " The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized". Mr Collins name apparently was not the name on the warrant, and law enforcement has no excuse for not knowing the person to whom they were seeking with a warrant did not live there any longer. And if you condone letting the constitution be set aside just because someone has a criminal past, then don't whine when they do it to you. I leave you with this thought."They came for the Communists, and I

didn't object - For I wasn't

a Communist;

They came for the Socialists, and I

didn't object - For I wasn't a Socialist;

They came for the labor leaders, and I

didn't object - For I wasn't a labor leader;

They came for the Jews, and I didn't

object - For I wasn't a Jew;

Then they came for me -

And there was no one left to object.

Martin Niemoller, German Protestant Pastor,

1892-1984" IF WE DON'T STAND UP FOR OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS THAT BELONG TO ALL AMERICANS REGARDLESS WHETHER WE LIKE THEM OR NOT, WE LOSE THEM FOR OURSELVES.

Really are you ...

Sun, 03/30/2014 - 10:32am

Moderators have removed this comment because it contained Personal attacks (including: name calling, presumption of guilt or guilt by association, insensitivity, or picking fights).

Really are you ...

Sun, 03/30/2014 - 10:47am

I guess I said something that might have hurt somebody's feelings. So I will finish up what else I had to say. Change the words a bit. If we don't stand up for our jobs that belong to Americans regardless wether we like them or not, we lose jobs for ourselves.

Really are you ...

Sun, 03/30/2014 - 11:07am

And we are so close to living in a police state. Martial law is around the corner. Pick your poison to start it off: economic collapse or another revolution or insurrection. Over a thousand FEMA Camps uninhabited in the US waiting for occupants (Consentration camps Nazi Germany). Want to relocate? Come get on this train (Nazi Germany). Being detained for taking pitchers of what is inside the fence (Toledo tank factory, journalists were detained by Military Police. During WWII for you were caught looking in a concentration camp, you were forced to spend the night there. Nazi Germany).

The Big Dog's back

Sun, 03/30/2014 - 11:47am

Substitute Corporations for "they".

SamAdams

Mon, 03/31/2014 - 7:24pm

Corporations are not pure evil, though believe it or not, you've said a number of things about them with which I agree. The primary difference in this particular scenario, though, has nothing to do with good and evil, and everything to do with a very specific type of power.

Corporations cannot break into the wrong house and unlawfully detain you. Corporations cannot force you at gunpoint to buy their -- or anybody else's -- product. Corporations cannot force you to relocate, whether due to a real or claimed emergency or a land seizure of one kind or another. Corporations cannot whisk you away to a jail cell or a "concentration camp." Governments can. They have, they do, and they will again. It's become less a matter of where that kind of thing happens (within what country's borders, I mean) and more a matter of how OFTEN it happens.

Peninsula Pundit

Tue, 04/01/2014 - 10:42am

I do not disagree,Sam.
However, due to the corrupting influence of money from corps at most levels of govt, corporations have undue influence on what laws are passed, what property is seized through 'eminent domain',etc.
The corps do not have the direct power, but are easily able to corrupt govts to do their will.
Sometimes, not even the elected officials are fully cognizant of what is going on.

GottaloveNorwalk

Sun, 03/30/2014 - 10:54am

This is just the side of Mr. Collins, read the Norwalk Reflector, and get the side of the law enforcement. There is always two sides to every story, and this one is not believable.

Peninsula Pundit

Sun, 03/30/2014 - 12:24pm

So you are saying the police didn't enter the wrong house?
They in fact did.
Thus, the rest of what you say is BS.

G_Johnson

Sun, 03/30/2014 - 6:18pm

So you "in fact" have read the report and got this information first hand? Maybe you should write for the register since you seem to know the actual facts that supposedly haven't been given out yet, you'd fit in well with the rest of the journalists.

Peninsula Pundit

Mon, 03/31/2014 - 10:07am

With this rich variety of corruption in Law Enforcement and a Healthy respect for the American people's right to know, I would gladly accept a position with the Register!
To the point you make above: Why doesn't the police 'give out the facts', this many days past the event?
Is it your premise that the public doesn't have a right to know?
That once you serve the time, you're forever suspect?
How about if you have nothing to fear, you should have nothing to hide?
What country are you from?
Russia?

G_Johnson

Mon, 03/31/2014 - 12:42pm

Ignorance. Your response has nothing in it that defends your initial response. Since you stated that "they in fact did" enter the wrong house, I asked if you had gotten this information first hand or if you had read the report?
I do agree that the facts and the official report should have been produced by now, and I am a firm believer that the public has a right to know. I also feel strongly that the police have a responsibility to report truthful facts in a timely manner, however I don't think that they should provide information prematurely on topics that aren't essential to being released.

G_Johnson

Mon, 03/31/2014 - 12:50pm

Don't get me wrong, I understand that there is a huge problem with corruption and cops protecting each other. I also understand that cops are held to a higher standard and much more harshly criticized when they make a mistake (as they probably should be since they are held to that higher standard). I do not have a problem whatsoever with them not making a premature statement, that may or may not be factual, that could be used by biased journalists to make these officers look bad.
Again, should the report have been released by this point? Probably. Do I think that even cops make mistakes, and that they should be held accountable and to a higher standard than EVERYBODY else that makes mistakes? Yes. Do I think that the Sandusky Register is filled with biased reporters that continuously omit information and jump the gun? Most definitely.

Peninsula Pundit

Tue, 04/01/2014 - 11:06am

OK.
Taking your comment at face value, I ask you to consider this:
If the incident had been solely reported in the manner the local paper has reported it, do you think the local citizenry would have reacted in the manner that they have here on these boards?
The idea of a 'Free Press' is not to have to consider the 'side' of the elected officials. The press should be a watchdog, like the watchdog that barks aggressively even before the intruder gets into the house.
Maybe the dog is barking just because someone is walking by. If the owner looks out and sees that, he goes on his way.
However, if an intruder is on the porch, you get your gun and pat the good dog on the head.
A vast majority of the citizenry reviewing this story, as evidenced by these comments, have checked their powder and are patting the dog on the head.
The only ones who don't are the crooks.
I really can't make it any clearer than that.

Really are you ...

Sun, 03/30/2014 - 11:27pm

They entered the right house. A triplex is three apartment units under one roof. "They said you shouldn't be in a drug house then." If a landlord has three dwellings for people to live in, the landlord can't call it a triplex if those separate dwellings aren't under one roof.

Peninsula Pundit

Mon, 03/31/2014 - 10:12am

By that, I use the term loosely, 'reasoning', if there is a warrant for someone in a 50 apartment complex (all under 1 roof) then the police are perfectly 'within their rights' to go from door-to-door through the whole building.
Quit posting so late at night, you either need sleep or to sober up.

JMOP

Sun, 03/30/2014 - 4:42pm

Three sides to every story

G_Johnson

Sun, 03/30/2014 - 6:15pm

Register has a funny tendency for this type of thing....

Nemesis

Sun, 03/30/2014 - 6:53pm

GottaloveNorwalk, if everything was on the up and up, and the sheriff's department has nothing to hide, then why the double secret gag order? You don't need a coverup if you've done nothing wrong.

Peninsula Pundit

Mon, 03/31/2014 - 10:14am

They cannot answer that question without sounding foolish.
That is why.

bigrmachine

Mon, 03/31/2014 - 12:11pm

If this were to have happened in Indiana the cop could have been shot for this as they not allowed to enter a dwelling without proper assertion and the home owner could have had rights to defend his property. Take heed ladies and gents ,this behavior from the law is only gonna get worse as courts are allowing search and seizure based on hearsay and the willingness to fill the coffers with drug related proceeds.

Little Giant

Mon, 03/31/2014 - 12:35pm

There are 196 units in the Chesapeake all under one roof. If they kicked down the doors of all the units, they would find drugs in about half of them!

holysee

Mon, 03/31/2014 - 12:49pm

War on drugs needs to end. Definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over to yield a single predictable outcome, then expecting a different result the next time.
Oh the litigation will be sweet on this one!

Nemesis

Mon, 03/31/2014 - 9:54pm

Forget about whether the desired result is achieved; even if it were to be effective, that doesn't make it legitimate.

Ask yourself, why, if a Constitutional Amendment was necessary to ban the consumption of one mind altering substance (alcohol) then how can they simply legislate a ban on the consumption of other mind altering substances?

The Constitution is being used for toilet paper by our elected representatives; the least of our worries is that they're only INEFFECTIVE despots.

MBR

Mon, 03/31/2014 - 1:29pm

Good thing he didn't have a dog, they would have shot it.

Ralph J.

Mon, 03/31/2014 - 2:49pm

Innocent people die from these police raids. How many more innocent people need to die?

Moderators have removed this comment because it contained Personal attacks (including: name calling, presumption of guilt or guilt by association, insensitivity, or picking fights).

libertarian

Mon, 03/31/2014 - 3:19pm

I wish people would quit calling law enforcement officials "pigs". It is an insult to all fine domesticated livestock to be associated with government thugs. After all, pigs would never extort, rob, kidnap, assault or murder. Lets call these moral ignoramuses what they are-government thugs (This includes judges, prosecutors, regulators & most politicians & lawyers). Fascist thugs/goons/gangsters, collectivist thugs/goons/gangsters or costumed thugs/goons/gangsters are accurate & appropriate terms as well. Let's condemn & ostracize them & their supporters. Let's inform & help their victims. Let's give these thugs a big thumbs down every time we see one so they know our displeasure at their immoral acts.

Peninsula Pundit

Tue, 04/01/2014 - 11:12am

And it is said that pigs are as smart or smarter, than dogs.
Thus casting further aspersions upon the source of tasty bacon!

The governed

Mon, 03/31/2014 - 6:49pm

For those of you here defending the actions of law enforcement.

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me.

Nemesis

Mon, 03/31/2014 - 9:13pm

Sadly, your logic is lost on sheeple.

Maggdi

Mon, 03/31/2014 - 8:35pm

Congratulations Erie County officials! You made Instapundit! Unfortunately the particulars of this story make being noticed by him usually not something that should flatter.
I won't bother with a link. He's easy enough to find.....

Peninsula Pundit

Tue, 04/01/2014 - 11:16am

Instapundit?!!??
Why deal with this johnny-come-lately interloper, when you can deal with the genuine article?
I'm not affiliated with Amazon nor ask you to buy things through them.
But if you'd like to help, please send your funds to me immediately instead of this poser.

KnuckleDragger

Tue, 04/01/2014 - 8:37am

Ahh yes, the truth comes out. Head on over to the Norwalk Reflector site for the real story. This guys story seemed to have hooked the Register with his lies. So a junkie tells the Register he is clean. The HCSO know there are junkies coming and going from his residence and they find paraphernalia. This guy, knowing he is now in trouble decides to snitch on his neighbors. The guy then tells the Register that he has to stay at his moms at night because he is afraid of the police. We now know this is BS, he snitched and is worried the people he snitched on will come after him. Goes to show ya, there's no honor among thieves and the Register in their effort to trash yet another Law Enforcement agency now has egg on their face. LOL.

Peninsula Pundit

Tue, 04/01/2014 - 11:21am

Norwalk's watchdog lifts its' head, sees someone at the window and goes back to sleep.
You will get what you deserve when the intruder has you cuffed on the floor with the gun at your head.
I guess it is easier to stop by CVS, buy syringes and throw them on the floor than it is to drop a knife or gun, don't you?
If I were a crooked cop and knew I was going in to bust 'known junkies', you can bet I would have a few in my pocket, still fresh in the wrapper, becuase it wouldn't make a difference to a parole officer if they were used or not.
So now I ask you, knuck, did you not think of this or did you not allow yourself to think of it?
In one case, you admit to ignorance.
In the other, delusion.

Sokath his eyes...

Sat, 04/05/2014 - 2:51am

I would like to let Mr. Collins know that he can file a federal civil rights lawsuit. Such a lawsuit can be filed by anyone that has their constitutionally guaranteed 4th amendment rights violated, whether they are a minority or not. Furthermore, for such a lawsuit to be fully successful, one must name each officer that violated his rights in the suit as well as the organization for which they work. The organization can get out of the suit if they act in a way to distance themselves from the constitutional violations, but if they "circle the wagons," that becomes evidence of conspiracy, and everyone involved, including the judges, can be named in the suit.

Such lawsuits are outside of the jurisdiction of local courts and local gag orders could not apply unless the federal judge also agreed to allow the gag order to stand. Now, these suits take some time to resolve (1-2 years) but they are very effective at reigning in an out-of-control and corrupt local police/sheriff/judge combination, if you hire a decent civil rights attorney (it pays to have a good one, the job they can do is phenomenal).

Finally, officers that lose after being named personally in such suits will often lose their ability to retain a bond (being bond-able is absolutely essential to keeping a job in law enforcement--without it one is entirely unemployable in law enforcement). Any judgments against individually named persons in civil rights suits are personally liable to pay the settlement/judgment and the taxpayers are not on the hook unless the department, as an entity, was found guilty (reasoning is that if the voters supported such corruption, they deserve to pay for it as well). Otherwise, it is the individuals named that must pay the judgment in the lawsuit. Also, if the officers/judges/sheriff/etc cannot pay their portion of the judgment, the successful litigant can place a lien on homes, cars, boats, and other assets that takes priority even over a bank's lien.